C13 Exploding Slash

Tucked away in a modest eatery, Shen Xuan and Shen Wansi were sharing a drink. Shen Xuan seemed unfazed, his expression nonchalant, but Shen Wansi was clearly troubled.

Blood ties ran deep between Shen Wansi and Sima Wan'er in Emergence City, yet things had taken such an unfortunate turn.

"Xuan, why do you think Wan'er ended up like this?" Shen Wansi, slightly tipsy, inquired of Shen Xuan.

His father was back home, the family banquet laid out in anticipation of Sima Wan'er's return. With her absence, Shen Wansi was at a loss for words to explain to his father.

"It's to be expected," Shen Xuan replied, taking a leisurely sip of his wine. "She's lived in the capital for so long, and with her exceptional talent, it's only natural for her to change. We simply aren't on the same level anymore." The wine, he noted, was exceptionally aromatic and potent.

"But you cultivate too, Xuan. You're highly talented and the Young Patriarch, yet you haven't changed!" Shen Wansi persisted, struggling to accept the situation.

"People are different," Shen Xuan advised calmly. "Just be more observant from now on."

He wasn't the least bit perturbed by the day's events.

On his way back, he had dredged up memories of Sima Wan'er from the recesses of his mind, memories that had been long buried.

Eight years prior, at the age of eight, Shen Xuan had cherished a secret affection for the seven-year-old Sima Wan'er. They had grown up together, inseparable. He hadn't fully grasped the nature of his feelings back then, but he knew her departure from Emergence City meant their paths might not cross again for some time.

So, on the eve of her departure, Shen Xuan spent the whole night folding paper cranes and scrawling a heartfelt, albeit clumsy, love letter. Too shy to face her, he opted for a stealthy approach.

Before the break of dawn, he snuck into Sima Wan'er's room, intending to leave his letter on her table. A clumsy misstep, however, sent a chair clattering to the floor, startling her awake.

Sima Wan'er's screams upon discovering Shen Xuan in her room at such an ungodly hour brought the Shen family's stewards running, causing quite the uproar. The words that seared into his memory were cruel: "Scoundrel, beast, to dare such a thing at your age!"

The harsh words forced the young boy's heart to close once more. From that moment on, Sima Wan'er's disdain for Shen Xuan grew, lasting to this day.

In her eyes, Shen Xuan was nothing but a hopeless failure—a troublemaker in youth and a waste in adulthood. And over the years, her opinion of him as a worthless good-for-nothing only solidified.

Shen Xuan could only chuckle at the memory. No wonder she scorned him; a love that should have been declared openly was instead shrouded in secrecy, turning what could have been sweet into something regrettable. Yet, what irked him more than his own childish mistake was the behavior of Sima Zhe.

Sima Wan'er's father, Sima Zhe, had been the loudest in his condemnation. A father could defend his child, but his actions were contemptible. Shen Xuan vividly remembered Sima Zhe's kick that sent him tumbling to the ground, resulting in a fever that raged for three days before breaking.

"Sima Zhe, you're on my list now. I'll repay that kick, sooner or later," Shen Xuan murmured under his breath.

...

The pair had their fill of drinks at the tavern, and it wasn't until they were nearly stumbling that they left the establishment.

Back at the Shen residence, Shen Wansi was thoroughly inebriated. Shen Xuan exchanged a few words with his father before heading back to his cottage.

For him, the alcohol was only potent enough to intoxicate him for half an hour. With a bit of internal energy, he could sober up at will. It had been ages since he'd relished the sensation of drunkenness, the way it dulled his mind and spared him from overthinking.

Half an hour later, sober and alert, he resumed his seated meditation in the cottage, preparing for the next day's ceremony where he would assume the role of Patriarch.

The night passed quietly.

At dawn, with the first pale light of daybreak, Shen Xuan gently opened his door, stretched his arms wide, and deeply inhaled the crisp morning air.

Despite a night spent in deep meditation, he hadn't quite reached the mid-stage of Abstention, but he was close.

He then moved to the courtyard, positioning himself at its heart, eyes closed, swiftly recalling the cultivation techniques stored in his mind.

Having cultivated for a millennium, the techniques he knew were advanced, too advanced for his current state. Only upon reaching the Nascent Infant stage would he begin to scratch the surface. After sifting through numerous techniques, he finally settled on a martial art.

Exploding Slash!

This Innate Fist Technique harnessed the body's power, concentrating force to unleash triple the impact through the Exploding Slash. Moreover, upon striking, the technique's internal energy would burst inside the opponent, resulting in a lethal blow.

Cultivation techniques were categorized into Houtian, Innate, Saintly, and Immortal grades. Although Exploding Slash was merely an Innate technique, its low entry barrier made it nearly unbeatable below the Nascent Infant stage, making it an ideal foundational technique. Shen Xuan had acquired it from the Ghost Nanny, advisor to King Yin Zhu Youji, and had stored it in his Sumeru Ring. After his ascension to Rogue Immortal, he had integrated all his techniques into his Spiritual Sense, never imagining he'd have use for them again—until now.

In the courtyard, with eyes shut, he reacquainted himself with the Exploding Slash. A hundred breaths later, his eyes snapped open, fists clenched, as he executed a swift series of punches.

The fist technique whipped up a storm, drawing in the surrounding spatial energy and compressing it until it exploded.

He looked like a living embodiment of energy, ready to detonate, his presence unmatched.

Pleased with his practice, Shen Xuan knew that Earth's martial arts, when performed here with its abundant energy, were amplified by roughly thirty percent. The sheer force of Exploding Slash meant that even Shen Wentao might struggle to withstand it.

With time to spare before the ceremony, he continued to refine his mastery of the technique, practicing it over and over.

Shen Xiaomei, awakened by the noise, wheeled herself out to watch. Seeing her brother's prowess filled her with joy.

...

As daylight strengthened, the Shen household's servants began their day, setting up the martial arts field for the impending succession ceremony.

Today marked the grand succession ceremony of the Patriarch, an event 35 years in the making since the last such occasion. The return of the ceremony after such a long hiatus stirred excitement among many.

Their anticipation wasn't solely for the ceremony; it was also fueled by the enigma that Shen Xuan brought with him. Over the past three days, tales of Shen Xuan's exploits had become increasingly legendary within the Shen family. They held onto the hope that their new Patriarch would usher in an era of strength and prosperity for the family.

The venue was swiftly prepared, and members of the Shen family gradually filled the space, taking their designated seats.

Shen Lang, Shen Wentao, the various deacons, and the esteemed elders of the Shen family were all present, seated with dignity. Below them, the seats were filled with family members, all in quiet anticipation of the momentous celebration.

Just then, from a short distance away, Shen Xuan, pushing Shen Xiaomei in her chair, approached amidst shared laughter and conversation, adding to the lively atmosphere of the gathering.